CNN lists Taipei 101 as one of mankind’s greatest buildings

Staff writer, with CNA, LOS ANGELES

Wed, Jul 10, 2013 - Page 3

Taipei 101 has been named as one of mankind’s greatest engineering achievements on a list recently compiled by US news network CNN.

Once the world’s tallest building in 2004, it is now the third tallest. Taipei 101 was the first building to be above 500m, CNN said.

It also had the world’s fastest elevator when it was completed, CNN added.

The broadcaster said it decided to compile the list following a series of announcements in recent months about impressive building projects, such as Dubai’s plan to build the world’s biggest shopping mall.

Other skyscrapers on list of 25 construction or engineering feats include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Shanghai World Financial Center in China and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.

The modern structures featured on the list are the Palm in Dubai, the Trans-Siberian Railroad in Russia, Japan’s Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Tokyo Sky Tree and Kansai Airport in Osaka, the US’ Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge and Grand Canyon Skywalk, Canada’s White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and Confederation Bridge, France’s Eiffel Tower and Millau Viaduct, London’s Underground system, the Panama Canal and the International Space Station.

The list also covered historical structures, including the Colosseum in Rome; the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt; the Aztec city of Teotihuacan in Mexico; India’s Taj Mahal; Spain’s Aqueduct of Segovia and China’s Great Wall.